A system and computer readable medium for a burst mode optical receiver that enables an optical receiver to receive signals from a plurality of optical network units at different optical power levels. In an exemplary embodiment, the system may include a memory that stores a received signal strength indication, and a media access controller communicably coupled to the memory. The media access controller receives a received signal strength indication of an upcoming data stream to an optical network unit, and asserts a signal control voltage during a guard time to an optical receiver to optimize reception of incoming data streams of the optical network unit based upon the received signal strength indication received from the upcoming data stream.